Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Cameron for his interest in education and for this policy question. It is a pity we do not hear more about these types of things in this chamber, because we appreciate that education is, of course, the first priority of a Labor government. This is a simple proposition. We regard education as absolutely fundamental to the future of the nation. On this side we believe that quality teaching is fundamental to the learning experience of all students. Every senator here I am sure would recognise the importance of making sure that every teaching graduate has the required skills to be an effective teacher and positive role model. That is why this government will introduce new, more rigorous standards for teacher training courses.

Senator Mason interjecting—

I note, Senator Mason, that members on your side of the chamber have in fact supported this approach. We acknowledge that on this matter there is a bipartisan approach to ensuring that we lift the quality of teacher education in Australia.

These new standards that the government will introduce will improve the quality of teachers graduating from universities and being employed in Australian schools. The four main elements to this plan include more rigorous and targeted admissions into university courses; a new literacy and numeracy test to ensure that students will have to satisfy before they graduate; a national approach to teacher practicum to ensure that new teachers have the skills, personal capacities and practical experience they need to do well; and a review of all teaching courses by the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency—TEQSA. Putting these steps in place will ensure that school communities have confidence in the abilities of new staff and will help ensure that parents— (Time expired)